Due to weather and other issues the Region 4 meeting for February 11, 2014 in Moses Lake, WA was canceled. The following is my report for our Region that I gave at Winter Convention. So in lieu of the meeting please read my report and if you have any question please call me. Earl Nettnin, Region 4 Director.
Winter Convention
February 8, 2014
Pick Up A Mountain held September 20-22, 2013 was again very successful with 180 people signed in and traveled over 14,000 miles to get there. In addition to the normal “trash” two abandoned cars were brought in. One still had wheels and the other which was crushed was hauled to a scrap yard and the money given to the region for the event. A letter from the Ranger commending us for our efforts was received.

Flood Repair – The 1808 Road is finished and the work party at Copper City had access without a special permit. The 1702 Rock Creek Road has been repaired and is open. The 1700 Road system repairs were held up by appeals and will not be started until this spring . The 1605 Road in the Clover Springs area has been repaired and now is open. Improvements to the 1600 Road to the old mill site will not happen until this spring . The 1501 Road to the Little Rattlesnake access is slated to be closed for the first five miles. The appeal period for this project started January 10, 2014; and is open for 45 days to those who submitted comments. DNR (Department of Natural Resources) has ownership of the land and may put in a by-pass around the concerned area, but will not connect to the 1501 Road.

Juniper Dunes is still working on a public access road to get away from current problems. The County is in line for a FLAP (Federal Lands Access Program) grant, but not until 2016. We met with the County Engineer Matt Rasmussen who told us they are going about the process to acquire right of way. Things are moving ahead in a positive manner.

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest – The Travel Management Plan and the Forest Revision Plan should be out this year. Watch for the comment periods and comment on them; this is our only chance for input.

Fire Damage in Cle Elum – Shoestring Lake area bridges are totally gone; nothing left but the nails and spikes. Work parties will be in order when materials and access are available.

Cle Elum Ranger District – Tim Foss the Front Country Trail Person for the District retired January 11, 2014. He will be missed as he is a great supporter of our activities in the District. No permanent replacement has been named.

Naches Ranger District – Several people working on the District are leaving/retiring or on leave which is adding to the unrest in the District.

TWIG (Trails Wilderness Interest Group) – November meeting - Ross Huffman Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) gave a presentation of their plan for the Bald Mountain area. They propose to close 14 miles of the 83 miles of roads in the
(Over)
area; but as promised access roads to our trails will remain open. A comment period on this project will be coming up – we need to watch for it as it will be short. The
December TWIG meeting was focused on volunteer work parties. The next TWIG meeting will be March 4, 2014.

Naneum Ridge to Columbia River Recreation Plan had public comment meetings. The plan is in the final stages and will be presented this year for comment.

Beverly Dunes cleanup and maintenance work party was held November 2, 2013. A bad weather weekend, but clean up and maintenance was accomplished.

Ahtanum State Forest & Wenas – activities and meetings are still taking place to resolve some issues in these areas.

Green Dot Meeting January 27, 2014 – At the meeting DNR (Department of Natural Resources) presented a plan and asked for input from users to try to stop resource damage, dumping and other illegal activities in the South Fork of the Ahtanum. A decision on what plan to implement will be coming.